Buying a Mobile Home in the United States: Complete Guide for 2026
Buying a mobile home in the USA and exporting to Europe costs between EUR 14,576 and 120,000. The USA is the largest manufactured home market in the world. Green Village handles export and logistics end-to-end.
The United States is the world's largest manufactured housing market, with over 22 million Americans living in manufactured homes. However, the concept of "mobile home" in the US is fundamentally different from the European one — and understanding this distinction is essential before any purchase or import.
In the US, manufactured homes are regulated by the HUD Code (federal Department of Housing and Urban Development standard, in effect since 1976), which defines strict construction, safety and energy standards. European mobile homes — like those sold by Green Village — do NOT carry HUD certification and are classified as "park model RVs" or "recreational vehicles" in most US jurisdictions. This affects where they can be placed (RV parks, campgrounds, and in some states, residential zones with special permits). This guide covers the options, costs and the entire process — from import to installation.
The US market: HUD Code vs European mobile homes
The US manufactured housing market sells around 100,000 new HUD-code homes a year (Manufactured Housing Institute). HUD-code homes (factory-built after 1976 with the federal seal) are constructed in factories, transported to site and installed on permanent or temporary foundations. They come as single-wide (up to ~18ft wide), double-wide (~24-28ft) and triple-wide.
European mobile homes — such as British static caravans, French mobil-homes or Dutch stacaravans — are different: generally more compact (up to 12m x 4m single, up to 20m x 6.8m twin), with distinct design and finishes, and without the HUD seal. In the US, they are classified as park model recreational vehicles (PMRV) if under 400 sq ft (~37 m2) or as "non-standard structures" if larger.
Green Village offers European mobile homes for US clients seeking European aesthetics and quality for RV parks, glamping resorts, campgrounds or private properties. Transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, Green Village's logistics division, and is included in the delivered price.
Legislation: HUD Code, IRC and state regulations
US regulation operates at three levels: federal (HUD Code for manufactured homes), state (each state has its own zoning and building code legislation) and municipal (county/city with their own zoning rules). For European mobile homes without a HUD seal, options vary enormously by state.
European mobile homes can be installed in: (1) RV parks and campgrounds (most states allow park model RVs under 400 sq ft without HUD seal), (2) glamping resorts and properties (rapidly growing sector in the US), (3) private land in rural zones (many rural counties have more flexible regulation), and (4) manufactured home communities that accept alternative units (less common, requires individual negotiation).
The most favourable states for European mobile homes are Florida (largest manufactured housing market, well-established RV culture, hurricane tie-down requirements), Texas (affordable land, flexible rural regulations, no state income tax), the Carolinas (coast + mountains, growing tourism), Arizona and Nevada (retirement communities, RV-friendly regulations), California (progressive ADU — Accessory Dwelling Unit legislation, premium market) and the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington — tiny house movement, evolving regulations).
- HUD Code homes: mandatory federal seal for manufactured homes sold in the US since 1976.
- Park Model RVs (PMRV): units under 400 sq ft (~37 m2), ANSI A119.5 classification, accepted in RV parks.
- European mobile homes >400 sq ft: classified as "non-standard structure", requires state/municipal approval.
- ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit): in states like California, accessory units may be permitted on residential lots.
- Zoning: varies drastically by county — ALWAYS verify before purchasing land.
- Building permits: generally required for permanent installation, with local inspection.
Costs: import, transport and installation
Importing a European mobile home to the US involves: the unit price (EUR 14,576-120,000); transport organised by Mobile Home Logistic, included in the delivered price (the exact figure depends on destination and dimensions); CBP customs clearance; any import duty depends on the unit's classification and is confirmed in the written quote; and delivery to the installation site, on request depending on distance.
Installation (placement, levelling, water, electricity, sewage connections, concrete pad and, in Florida, the mandatory hurricane tie-down system) is included in the Green Village delivered price. There is no federal VAT, but state sales tax (0-10.25%) applies to the purchase.
Land cost is the most variable factor: in an RV park or manufactured home community, monthly lot rent ranges from USD 300-1,500. Own land in rural áreas can cost from USD 5,000 (states like Alabama, Mississippi) to USD 500,000+ (California, Hawaii). Annual ownership costs include property tax (varies by county), insurance (USD 1,000-5,000/year, much higher in hurricane/tornado zones) and maintenance (USD 2,000-5,000/year).
| Cost component | Indicative value |
|---|---|
| Mobile home (used, 8-15 years) | EUR 14,576 - 30,000 |
| Mobile home (recent or new) | EUR 30,000 - 120,000 |
| Transport (organised by Mobile Home Logistic) | included in the delivered price |
| CBP customs duty | confirmed in the written quote |
| Delivery to the installation site | on request |
| Installation (placement, connections, pad) | Included in the delivered price |
| Hurricane tie-down (Florida) | Included in the delivered price |
| State sales tax | 0 - 10.25% |
| Monthly lot rent (RV park) | USD 300 - 1,500/month |
| Annual insurance | USD 1,000 - 5,000/year |
Regions: the best states for mobile homes
Florida is the largest US manufactured housing market with over 850,000 units and a well-established mobile home community and RV resort culture. The subtropical climate allows year-round use. Popular zones include Central Florida (Orlando área — theme parks and tourism), the Gulf Coast (Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples — beaches and retirement), the Keys and South Florida (premium, more restrictive regulation) and the Panhandle (Pensacola, Destin — more affordable, strong RV community).
Texas is the second-largest market with affordable land and flexible rural regulations. The most attractive zones are the Texas Hill Country (Austin área — tourism, glamping, tech), the Gulf Coast (Galveston, Corpus Christi — beaches), East Texas (piney woods, lakes — camping, retirement) and West Texas (desert, Big Bend — adventure tourism, very cheap land). Texas has no state income tax.
Other high-potential states include the Carolinas (Outer Banks, Blue Ridge Mountains — coastal and mountain tourism), Arizona (Scottsdale, Sedona, Tucson — premium retirement communities), California (progressive ADU regulation, strong tiny house and park model market) and the Pacific Northwest (Oregon and Washington — tiny house movement, glamping on Mount Hood, San Juan Islands).
Transport: Europe to USA
Transport to the US is organised by Mobile Home Logistic, Green Village's logistics division, and is included in the delivered price. Lead time depends on the origin: units in stock are the fastest; an imported used unit adds transport and customs clearance; a new unit built to order adds the build time; the delivery date is confirmed in writing.
We handle US customs clearance with CBP (Customs and Border Protection). European mobile homes may be classified as manufactured structure, recreational vehicle or other, depending on dimensions and features — and any import duty, which depends on that classification, is confirmed in the written quote.
After customs clearance, delivery to the installation site is on request, depending on distance. Green Village, through Mobile Home Logistic, coordinates the entire logistics chain through to final delivery at the US location, and transport is insured at 100% of the unit's value, from collection to installation on site.
Investment: rental market in the USA
The US mobile home rental market is vast and diverse. The most common business models include vacation rentals in RV parks and resorts (Florida, Carolina coast, mountain áreas — monthly income of USD 1,500-5,000 in peak season), glamping resorts (booming sector in the US, European premium units valued for distinctive aesthetics — annual income USD 20,000-60,000 per unit), manufactured home communities (lot rent + unit rental — stable income USD 8,000-20,000/year) and Airbnb/VRBO on private land (popular in rural tourist áreas — variable income USD 10,000-40,000/year).
European mobile homes have a competitive advantage in the US glamping and premium tourism segment: the European design (compact, functional, aesthetically superior to typical American park models) is valued by resort operators seeking differentiation. This is the segment with the highest return potential for European importers.
The tax framework varies by state: no federal VAT, but state sales tax (0-10.25%) applies to purchase. Property tax applies if the mobile home is on a permanent foundation and classified as real property (0.5-2.5% of assessed value per year). Rental income is taxed at the federal level (income tax) and in many states at the state level as well.
How to buy a mobile home in the US
- Research and define your project. Set your budget, destination state and use case (glamping resort, RV park, private land). Browse the Green Village catalogue: each listing shows the delivered price for the destination you choose, with transport included.
- Verify local regulations. Contact the county/municipality at your intended location to check zoning and building code rules for European mobile homes. Confirm whether the classification (park model RV, ADU or non-standard structure) is permitted in the zone.
- Financing and reservation. Choose your payment method (international wire transfer or financing). Reserve the unit with a deposit. For resort/glamping operators, prepare a business plan and operating licences.
- International transport. Transport is organised by Mobile Home Logistic and included in the delivered price; we handle CBP customs clearance through to delivery at the installation site in the US.
- Installation and activation. The unit is placed on site, levelled and connected to utilities. In Florida, mandatory tie-down system installation. Local inspection and occupancy/tourism operating licence.
In summary
- European mobile homes do NOT carry HUD certification — classified as park model RVs in the US.
- Transport organised by Mobile Home Logistic, included in the delivered price.
- Customs duties and state sales tax (0-10.25%) confirmed in the written quote.
- Best states: Florida, Texas, Carolinas, Arizona, California and Pacific Northwest.
- Premium glamping and ADU (accessory dwelling unit) segment growing rapidly.
- Green Village exports to the USA — free no-obligation quote, with transport included in the delivered price.
Frequently asked questions
Can a European mobile home be installed in the US?
Yes, with restrictions. European mobile homes do not carry the HUD seal and are classified as park model RVs (if <400 sq ft) or non-standard structures. They can be placed in RV parks, campgrounds, glamping resorts and, in some states, on private land with municipal authorisation.
What is the difference between HUD Code and European mobile homes?
HUD Code homes are manufactured homes with the mandatory US federal seal (since 1976). European mobile homes (static caravans, mobil-homes) are built to different European standards and lack HUD certification. In the US, they are treated as park model RVs or non-standard structures.
How much does it cost to import a European mobile home to the US?
Unit: EUR 14,576-120,000. Transport: included in the delivered price. CBP duty: confirmed in the written quote. Delivery to the installation site: on request. Installation: included in the delivered price. State sales tax: 0-10.25%.
Which US states are best for mobile homes?
Florida (largest market, RV culture), Texas (affordable land, no income tax), the Carolinas (coast + mountains), Arizona (retirement, premium communities), California (progressive ADU laws, premium market). Each state has its own regulations.
How long does delivery from Europe to the US take?
Lead time depends on the origin: units in stock are the fastest; an imported used unit adds transport and customs clearance; a new unit built to order adds the build time; the delivery date is confirmed in writing. Green Village coordinates the entire logistics chain through to final delivery at the US location.
Can a foreigner buy a mobile home in the US?
Yes. There are no nationality restrictions for buying mobile homes or land in the US. Foreigners can purchase, install and rent out mobile homes. For financing, some options require an SSN or ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number).